Mawby US Brut

Mawby US Brut is a dry sparkling wine from Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, bottled at approximately 11% ABV in a standard 750ml format. A Silver medal winner at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, this brut-style cuvée stands out as one of the few serious American sparkling wines produced entirely from northern Michigan fruit.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~11%  |  Origin: Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan, USA  |  Style: Brut Sparkling  |  Winery: Mawby Vineyards, Suttons Bay

Production & Heritage

Mawby Vineyards operates out of Suttons Bay on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, a narrow stretch of land jutting into Lake Michigan whose cool-climate growing conditions are well suited to sparkling wine production. The US Brut is made from a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Chambourcin grapes that are hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed, with only the gently pressed fractions of juice selected for this cuvée. Fermentation follows the Cuve Close (Charmat) method, where secondary fermentation takes place in pressurized tanks rather than individual bottles, preserving bright fruit character and keeping the wine approachable in both flavor and price.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe pear leads the nose, followed by apricot and a subtle floral lift. The aromatics are clean and fruit-forward without heavy yeast or brioche influence, reflecting the Charmat production style.

Taste: The palate enters with crisp acidity and orchard fruit, moving through a mid-palate of soft stone fruit. The brut dosage keeps residual sugar minimal, allowing the natural fruit flavors to stay in focus without veering into sweetness.

Finish: The finish is soft and clean, with moderate length. Lingering notes of pear skin and a faint mineral quality round out each sip.

How to Drink Mawby US Brut

Serve well chilled, between 40–45°F, in a flute or tulip glass to concentrate the aromatics and showcase the bead. This is a versatile sparkling wine that works equally well on its own as an apéritif or in cocktails. Try it in a French 75, where the pear and apricot notes complement the gin's botanicals. It also performs well in a Bellini, replacing Prosecco with a distinctly Michigan character. A Kir Royale with a splash of crème de cassis plays nicely off the wine's soft fruit and dry backbone.

Best For

• Hosting a brunch where you want American-made sparkling wine front and center
• Introducing someone to quality domestic sparkling wines beyond California
• Casual celebrations and toasts that call for something dry and refreshing
• Supporting a local and regional wine collection with a Michigan standout

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mawby US Brut taste like? Mawby US Brut delivers clean pear and apricot flavors with crisp acidity and a soft, dry finish — fruit-forward but never sweet.

How does Mawby US Brut compare to entry-level Champagne? Both are dry sparkling wines, but Mawby US Brut is produced via the Charmat method rather than méthode traditionnelle, resulting in brighter, more immediate fruit character and less of the toasty, yeasty complexity associated with Champagne.

Is Mawby US Brut good for cocktails? Yes — its clean acidity, moderate alcohol, and soft fruit profile make it an excellent base for sparkling cocktails like the French 75, Bellini, or Kir Royale.

Where is Mawby US Brut made? Mawby US Brut is produced at Mawby Vineyards in Suttons Bay, located on the Leelanau Peninsula in northwest Michigan, a designated American Viticultural Area known for cool-climate viticulture.

What foods pair well with Mawby US Brut? Fresh oysters benefit from the wine's bright acidity; soft cheeses like Brie complement its gentle fruit; smoked salmon mirrors the subtle richness on the mid-palate; fruit tarts echo the pear and apricot notes; and fried appetizers like tempura or arancini are cut cleanly by the effervescence.

What sizes does Mawby US Brut come in? Mawby US Brut is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Mawby US Brut worth the price? Mawby US Brut positions as an accessible, entry-level sparkling wine that delivers genuine character and regional identity, making it a strong value within the American sparkling wine category.

Why Mawby US Brut?

Michigan is rarely the first state that comes to mind for sparkling wine, which is precisely what makes Mawby US Brut worth seeking out. The use of hand-harvested, whole-cluster pressed fruit — with only the lightest press fractions making it into the final blend — is a quality-driven step more commonly associated with traditional-method producers. Its Silver medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and Bronze at the San Francisco International Wine Competition confirm that this is more than a regional curiosity. For anyone looking to explore American sparkling wine beyond Napa and Sonoma, Mawby US Brut is one of the most honest and rewarding bottles the Great Lakes region has to offer.